Do you think reading the bible is important?

Arthra

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So my question is do you think its important for a Christian to have read the bible?

Well I was raised as a Baptist and of course we memorized scripture. As a Baha'i I hold the Bible as divinely inspired and from time to time read the Word. I have my Grandmother's Bible and cherish it. I think prayer books that were used by our loved ones are particularly precious and connect us in a spiritual way.
 
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Eyes wide Open

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A person was talking about jesus with me recently, and during our conversation she admitted she's never actually read the bible. She's only only ever watched "the passion of christ". In fact I've met several people like that one of them even wanted to convert me. So my question is do you think its important for a Christian to have read the bible?

Focusing on the life of Jesus only and declaring oneself to be a Christian actually isn't really what it is to be a Christian I would say, but then I'm not a Christian. Christianity has a scriptural basis at its core which is the bible. Being a Christian has defined parameters as does being a Hindu etc etc, and I would say any Hindu that hadn't read the Bhagavad Gita was deluding themselves, so to a Christian who hadn't read the bible. I can declare Jesus to be a thoroughly nice bloke who's ministry reflected many elements of truth to what it is to be human, but it doesn't make me a Christian.
 
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Rajni

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A person was talking about jesus with me recently, and during our conversation she admitted she's never actually read the bible. She's only only ever watched "the passion of christ". In fact I've met several people like that one of them even wanted to convert me. So my question is do you think its important for a Christian to have read the bible?
I would say that reading the bible would be helpful for being
a Christian. But there was a time when there were Christians
before there was a bible, so it is possible to be a believer and
not have read one.

So the importance of reading one probably doesn't need to be
given any weight beyond that fact. Nowadays it may seem
odd to be a Christian and not have read one, but it certainly
isn't a requirement to be a Christian, as has been proven in
the past.
 
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Pethesedzao

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Since Ekklesia (born again from above, by the Will of Yahweh, not by any man's way)
all
love Yahweh's Word

and hunger and thirst for His Word and His Righteousness every day,

find out, if He Permits you to, what is the truth , FROM HIM. (and from His Word)Instead of from men (who are usually not trustworthy nor honest).

The "reasons" you did not believe the Bible as you read it,

must be, it seems, because someone lied to you and you chose to believe them

instead of the Bible. Maybe someone gave you false information when you asked questions about the Bible - like many groups pass on false info to their own members every day.

See? God's Word is Truth, and has never changed, and is right .

How then, could reading His Word cause you not to believe it, unless someone told you false information about what you read?
and The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us
 
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Eyes wide Open

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I would say that reading the bible would be helpful for being
a Christian. But there was a time when there were Christians
before there was a bible, so it is possible to be a believer and
not have read one.

So the importance of reading one probably doesn't need to be
given any weight beyond that fact. Nowadays it may seem
odd to be a Christian and not have read one, but it certainly
isn't a requirement to be a Christian, as has been proven in
the past.

Prior to the formation of the bible I'm sure Christian values would have sufficed in regards any christian declaration. These days it's seems more about doctrine beliefs and saying the right things. The latter without the former creates a hollow religion, but the latter seems to be more important these days.
 
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Gregory95

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I'm sort of the opposite in that reading the Bible made me begin to think critically about it's contents and pursue an evolution in spirituality that lead me away from Christianity.
Care to PM me? I have questions friend.
 
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Rajni

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Matthew 4:4 tells you what you'd like to know.
Words literally proceeding out of the mouth of God and
printed words on a page that are said to have come from
God are two, very different, things.

There's really no way to tell the difference without having
to rely on words proceeding out of the mouth of other
fallible men saying as much. And this requires faith in
other fallible men rather than God Himself, imo.
 
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Robban

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Words literally proceeding out of the mouth of God and
printed words on a page that are said to have come from
God are two, very different, things.

There's really no way to tell the difference without having
to rely on words proceeding out of the mouth of other
fallible men saying as much. And this requires faith in
other fallible men rather than God Himself, imo.

Could well be that when words come out of God,s mouth,
something happens.


When words come out of man,s mouth, you fall asleep.


Or something like that.
 
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Robban

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Words literally proceeding out of the mouth of God and
printed words on a page that are said to have come from
God are two, very different, things.

There's really no way to tell the difference without having
to rely on words proceeding out of the mouth of other
fallible men saying as much. And this requires faith in
other fallible men rather than God Himself, imo.

One can reason that way and yet,

"G-d would speak to Moses face to face"-Exodus 33:11;
"Mouth to mouth, I speak to him."-Numbers 12:8,
 
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Pethesedzao

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Words literally proceeding out of the mouth of God and
printed words on a page that are said to have come from
God are two, very different, things.

There's really no way to tell the difference without having
to rely on words proceeding out of the mouth of other
fallible men saying as much. And this requires faith in
other fallible men rather than God Himself, imo.
the Rhema and the Logos - look at one, speak the other
 
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Robban

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Reading,
Nja, so so.

Entering, Amen.
Why?

G-d said to Noah:
"Come, you and your household, into the ark"

The Hebrew word for ark, Teivah, also means word.

"Come into the word"
Says the Almighty, enter within the words of prayer and Torah study,
here you will find a sanctuary of wisdom, meaning and sanctity amidst the raging flood waters of life.

(Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov)

Enter into the word and ride out the storm.
Live in it.
 
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BNR32FAN

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A person was talking about jesus with me recently, and during our conversation she admitted she's never actually read the bible. She's only only ever watched "the passion of christ". In fact I've met several people like that one of them even wanted to convert me. So my question is do you think its important for a Christian to have read the bible?

I think it is absolutely imperative that every Christian not only reads but studies the word of God to enable them to determine the truth and full knowledge of His word. This is the very root of the problem among many who profess to be Christian. With so many false doctrines and watered down preachings out there the only way to determine what is truth is to go to the source. We must pray asking The Lord for guidance and understanding and study His word in order to better understand it the way she intended it.
 
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Jane_the_Bane

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With a PhD in English literature and culture, I've got to say: yes, being familiar with the Bible is pretty darn important if you want to understand any part of European culture produced within the last one and a half millennia. Of course, that doesn't mean you have to treat it any differently from the Graeco-Roman myths (which hold a similar place).
 
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2PhiloVoid

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A person was talking about jesus with me recently, and during our conversation she admitted she's never actually read the bible. She's only only ever watched "the passion of christ". In fact I've met several people like that one of them even wanted to convert me. So my question is do you think its important for a Christian to have read the bible?

...it would help, but I'd say that 'reading the Bible' is simply one aspect of loving God with one's heart, soul, mind and body. There's more to being a Christian than just reading the Bible.
 
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